Report on the Question of Action After the Xia-Tao Campaign[1]

(August 20, 1935)

Our direction of action is either eastward (toward Shaanxi) or westward (toward Qinghai and Xinjiang). The main force of the Red Army should move eastward, developing toward the border region of Shaanxi and Gansu, and should not go west of the Yellow River. At present, our base area should be founded on the Tao River valley, with future development eastward and the rear area shifted to the border region between northeastern Gansu and Shaanxi. Whether to go east or west is a crucial question, and we should adopt the policy of actively developing eastward. In the Xia-Tao campaign, we should take the route from Baozuo to Minzhou[2] and can concentrate three armies, or even the entire force, along this route. The Left Route Army should move closer to the Right Route Army. Aba should be struck quickly. We must persist in striking eastward and should not turn westward because of some difficulties.

[1] On August 20, 1935, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting at Mao’ergai, at which Mao Zedong delivered a report on the question of action after the Xia-Tao campaign. This is part of the report.

[2] Minzhou is present-day Min County.